Children learn best through their experiences because they are naturally curious, active, and eager to learn and try new things. Field trips help young children learn about their environment, themselves, their communities, and the world at large through hands-on learning and discovery.
Field trips for preschoolers should be age appropriate and provide community-based learning opportunities.
Best Preschool Field Trips
Farm: A visit to a farm teaches children about the origin of food. It also exposes children to animals and animal care, the concept of growing and harvesting food, farm equipment, and the role a farmer plays in the community.
Library: A field trip to the local public library supports early literacy and is a great place for children to develop a love for books and reading. Children can also be introduced to the role of a librarian. Call ahead and arrange for a preschool storytime and tour with a children’s librarian.
Fire Department: Arrange for a fire department tour in order to teach children about fire and fire safety in a nonthreatening way. Children can learn about the role of a fireman, basic fire fighting equipment, and emergency procedures.
Zoo or Conservatory: Before going to the zoo, introduce children to a variety of farm animals through picture books and activities. Children can learn about animals from all over the world in a variety of classes and explore the role and daily routine of a zookeeper.
Farmer’s Market or Supermarket: Field trips to the supermarket of farmer’s market show children how food moves from the farm to the community. A farmer’s market field trip supports nutrition lesson plans, fruit and vegetable recognition, and introduces children to foods from a variety of cultures. Preschool teachers can select a simple recipe and children can shop for the ingredients.
Train Station: Children can learn about transportation concepts like cargo, freight, passengers, ticketing, conductor, and engineer. Call ahead for a tour of the station and let children take a short ride on the train.
Local Restaurant: Pizzerias are a great place for preschool field trips. Arrange for a tour and a short cooking lesson during which children can help roll pizza dough and place toppings on pizzas. Children can learn about the role of chefs and customers as well as age appropriate restaurant etiquette.
Preparing for Field Trips
- Be sure to send out field trip permission slips early so that families have a chance to return them and ask questions before the date of the field trip.
- Arrange for transportation only by school buses or commercially licensed carriers if the field trip site is not within walking distance.
- Give every child a name tag. Bring along a notebook filled with emergency and medical contact information and consent to treatment forms.
- Pack a change of clothes for each child in case of accidents, spills, or changes in weather.
- Pack a light lunch or snacks depending on the length of the field trip. Bring plenty of water, especially if the field trip involves long periods of walking or vigorous activity.
- Bring a camera, blank paper, and crayons to take or draw pictures of the events of the field trip. This will be handy for post field trip discussions and future lesson plans.
Field trips should build upon classroom learning. After the field trip, discuss the experience, answering any questions the children may have about the places they have visited. And finally, send a thank you letter or create thank you cards and send them to the site host.
 |
